ABCtales Magazine Issue # 14

Cherry-picked pieces are not necessarily omitted. It is just that they have already been recognised and - when I was editor - I did not always agree with the choices made and therefore applied my own criteria.

I cannot speak for the basis for Jen's decisions (though I do agree that she over-uses exclamation marks) but the editor's decision is traditionally final.

If you (or anyone else) want to have a go at being a guest editor next year, then by all means let me know.

I over-use exclamation marks because it is as close to how I actually speak as I can get in written or printed words...I am very bubbly and enthusiastic all of the time.

I went with Wilky's ethos, I asked contributors to pick a piece of their work that THEY loved and thought had been overlooked. Regular site readers will have seen all the cherrypicked work already, and the Mag is a chance to highlight work they might not have seen that is significant to the writers themselves.

Hope this helps to explain?

J x !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (!)

Congratulations on a good job done Jennifer. Not one I envy, bit I think you philosophy has seen you through - that and being a teacher which is of course reflected in said philosophy. It's an eclectic and interesting mix from an equally interesting group of writers, which includes the accomplished, the very prolific individuals and some whose work perhaps does merit more attention. Good luck Ewan! Margot

Yes, thanks for explaining. Sorry if I came across a bit abrupt, but I was surprised by that choice. I may still not agree, but that's life, I guess

sorry, I'm not being cute or backtracking, but something went wrong with my original post when I tried to edit it to stop it sending notifications, dunno what happened, as I'm not terribly good at these things ... consider mine a 'silent protest' now :-)

I haven't had the chance to examine the magazine in depth but at first glance there seems to be a good mix of contributions. I believe that Jennifer has done an excellent job.
I can understand the disappointment of some authors on being overlooked but I don't think that not being included diminishes their worth.
Making the right choices is not easy given that there are so many talented writers on the site and to a certain extent the decision depends on the editor's preferences as it does when awarding cherries.
One alternative would be for readers to suggest pieces for consideration which the editor can accept or decline, as we know that his/her judgement is final.

I can't remember a time when there wasn't a general call for recommendations the month before, Luigi. It may have slipped through the net this time, since the Magazine is in a guest-editing phase at the moment, but I'm sure that is no more than an oversight. As you say, the editor's decision is final, in any event.

I'm sure volunteers would be most welcome for next year.

One of the reasons I got dispirited with the Magazine was that I regularly put out a call for suggestions and direct submissions for inclusion and got zilch in response.

I hoped that a change of face at the helm might generate more support.

Please prove my hope to be justified.

I must confess that I was under the misapprehension that the editor was solely in control of the selections. I did not appreciate that suggestions and direct submissions were welcomed.
We live and learn, as they say.

Just to clarify - I emailed several writers that had been active of late and whose work I had noticed recently (cherrypicked or not, as the case may be), asking them if they would like to be included and to choose a piece of work that they loved which had not been cherrypicked and they felt might have been overlooked. The response was highly favourable and everyone seemed very pleased to be asked.

I do not see the point of merely putting in work that has recently been cherried - we've all seen and read it anyway, if we keep an eye on the 'cherry page'.

I very much enjoyed the writing that people offered and corresponding with them about their inlcusion into the magazine, as well as putting it together. I would love to do it again, if I am allowed.

I hope you all find it an enjoyable read,

Jennifer x

Brilliant done Jen
Just taken a look at the Mag and it looks great.
Thanks for including me.
Cheers
Paulx

The whole thing looks great Jennifer, you must be proud. I know I felt good to have been asked to be part of it. Thanks for the chance. Val x

It's the first magazine I've seen so I can't compare, but it looks great and reads well. Well done Jennifer:) sarah x

Good mix and a cracking read, thanks to Jen and all the contributors.

well done, jen!

jason

Ewan very kindly sent me a copy of the mag by email because I can't download it from the site. I click on the above link, then 'ABCtales Magazine Issue # 14', but the download link on the next page doesn't work. I can't be the only one this is happening to, so I thought I'd mention it here in case it needs fixing...?

I'm a little confused, because there isn't a download link on that page. (Maybe there should be, to make it simpler.) You just click on ABC14.pdf on the Files listing.

Oh stupid me! I hadn't scrolled down far enough. I thank you, and will now creep away and bang head repeatedly on wall...

Hey - enjoyed this month's offering. Well done all.

Reason for posting is to thank WBK for uploading the first four issues of the mag, that I edited and put together what seems like AGES ago.

I couldn't find my copies of these and to see them just now was great.

Really very much apprecitaed.

Ben

EDIT: First three, not first four.

And just to re-iterate how very grateful I am to John, Enzo, Jennifer, Ewan and all the others who have put time and effort into the magazine. I love it - it's the only bit of ABCtales that I have absolutely nothing to do with - and I think that really adds to the whole community feel of the site.

I also thoroughly enjoy the read!

Thanks very much and lovely and appropriate image.